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NUC0520 MED100c Terminology > Chapter 10: Nervous System: Pronunciation of Terms > Flashcards

Chapter 10: Nervous System: Pronunciation of Terms Flashcards

1
Q

acetylcholine

A

Neurotransmitter chemical released at the ends of nerve cells.

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2
Q

afferent nerves

A

Carry nervous impulses toward the brain and spinal cord; sensory nerves.

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3
Q

akinetic

A

Pertaining to loss or absence of voluntary movement.

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4
Q

analgesia

A

Absence of sensitivity to pain.

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5
Q

anencephaly

A

Congenital condition of partial or complete absence of brain matter.

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6
Q

anesthesia

A

Lack of feeling or sensation.

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7
Q

aphasia

A

Inability to speak.

Language function is impaired due to injury to the cerebral cortex.

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8
Q

apraxia

A

Inability to perform purposeful acts or manipulative objects.

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9
Q

arachnoid membrane

A

Middle layer of the meninges that surround the brain and spinal cord.

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10
Q

astrocyte

A

Glial (neuroglial) cell that transports salts and water from capillaries.

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11
Q

ataxia

A

Without coordination.

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12
Q

autonomic nervous system

A

Nerves that control involuntary body functions of muscles, glands, and internal organs.

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13
Q

axon

A

Microscopic fiber that carries a nervous impulse along a nerve cell.

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14
Q

blood-brain barrier

A

Blood vessels that let certain substances enter the brain tissue and keep other substances out.

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15
Q

bradykinesia

A

Slow movement.

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16
Q

brainstem

A

Lower portion of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord.

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17
Q

cauda equina

A

Collection of spinal nerves below the end of the spinal cord.

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18
Q

causalgia

A

Intensely unpleasant burning pain in a limb following damage to nerves.

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19
Q

cell body

A

Part of the nerve cell (neuron) that contains the nucleus.

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20
Q

central nervous system

A

Brain and spinal cord.

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21
Q

cephalgia

A

Head pain; headache

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22
Q

cerebellar

A

Pertaining to the cerebellum.

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23
Q

cerebellopontine

A

Pertaining to the cerebellum and pons.

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24
Q

cerebellum

A

Part of the brain that coordinates muscle movements and maintains balance.

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25
Q

cerebral cortex

A

Outer region of the cerebrum.

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26
Q

cerebrospinal fluid

A

Clear, watery fluid that circulates throughout the brain and spinal cord.

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27
Q

cerebrum

A

Largest part of the brain. Responsible for voluntary muscular activity, vision, speech, taste, hearing, thought and memory.

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28
Q

coma

A

State of unconsciousness from which a patient cannot be aroused.

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29
Q

comatose

A

Pertaining to a coma.

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30
Q

cranial nerves

A

Twelve pairs of nerves that carry messages to and from the brain.

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31
Q

dendrite

A

Microscopic branching portion of a nerve cell.

First part of the nerve cell to receive the nervous impulse.

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32
Q

dura mater

A

Thick, outermost layer of the meninges surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

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33
Q

dyskinesia

A

Impairment of the ability to perform voluntary movements.

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34
Q

dyslexia

A

Difficulty in reading, writing, and learning.

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35
Q

efferent nerves

A

Carry messages away from the brain and spinal cord; motor nerves.

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36
Q

encephalitis

A

Inflammation of the brain.

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37
Q

encephalopathy

A

Disease of the brain.

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38
Q

ependymal cell

A

A glial cell that lines the membranes within the brain and spinal cord and helps form cerebrospinal fluid.

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39
Q

epidural hematoma

A

Collection of blood located above the dura mater.

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40
Q

ganglion

A

Collection of nerve cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system.

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41
Q

glial cell

A

Nervous system cell that is supportive and connective in function.

Astrocyte, microglial cell, ependymal cell

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42
Q

glioblastoma

A

Rapidly growing malignant tumor of the brain.

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43
Q

gyrus

A

Sheet of nerve cells that produces a rounded fold on the surface of the cerebrum.

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44
Q

hemiparesis

A

Slight paralysis of the right or left half of the body.

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45
Q

hemiplegia

A

Paralysis of the right or left half of the body.

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46
Q

hypalgesia

A

Diminished sensitivity to pain.

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47
Q

hyperesthesia

A

Excessive sensitivity or feeling, especially of the skin in response to touch or pain.

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48
Q

hyperkinesis

A

Excessive movement.

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49
Q

hypothalamus

A

Portion of the brain beneath the thalamus.

Controls sleep, appetite, body temperature, and secretions from the pituitary gland.

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50
Q

intrathecal

A

Pertaining to within the membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

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51
Q

leptomeningitis

A

Inflammation of the two thinner membranes (arachnoid and pia mater) surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

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52
Q

medulla oblongata

A

Lower part of the brain, closest to the spinal cord.

Controls breathing, heartbeat, and size of blood vessels.

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53
Q

meningeal

A

Pertaining to the meninges.

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54
Q

meningioma

A

Benign tumor of the meninges.

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55
Q

microglial cell

A

Phagocytic glial cell that removes waste products from the central nervous system.

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56
Q

migraine

A

A severe headache, often unilateral, and sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

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57
Q

motor nerves

A

Carry impulses from the brain and spinal cord to muscles.

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58
Q

myelin sheath

A

Fatty white covering over the axon of a nerve cell.

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59
Q

myelogram

A

X-ray record (with contrast) of the spinal cord.

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60
Q

myelomeningocele

A

Congenital hernia (protrusion) of the spinal cord and meninges through a defect (gap) in the vertebral column.

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61
Q

myoneural

A

Pertaining to muscle and nerve.

62
Q

narcolepsy

A

Sudden seizures of sleep.

63
Q

nerve

A

Macroscopic cordlike collection of fibers that carry electrical impulses.

64
Q

neuralgia

A

Nerve pain.

65
Q

neurasthenia

A

Lack of strength in nerves; a feeling of weakness and exhaustion.

66
Q

neuroglia

A

Supporting cells (stroma) of the nervous system; glial cells.

67
Q

neuron

A

Nerve cell.

68
Q

neuropathy

A

Disease of nerves; primarily in the peripheral nervous system.

69
Q

neurotransmitter

A

Chemical messenger released at the end of a nerve cell.

70
Q

oligodendroglial cell

A

Glial (neuroglial) cell that forms the myelin sheath covering the axon of a neuron.

71
Q

paraplegia

A

Paralysis of the lower part of the body and both legs.

72
Q

parasympathetic nerves

A

Involuntary, autonomic nerves that regulate normal body and functions such as heart rate, breathing, and the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract.

73
Q

parenchyma

A

Essential functioning cells of any organ. Neurons (nerve cells) are the parenchyma of the nervous system.

74
Q

paresis

A

Slight paralysis.

75
Q

paresthesia

A

Abnormal nervous sensation occurring without apparent cause.

Examples: tingling, numbness or prickling sensations.

76
Q

peripheral nervous system

A

Nerves outside the brain and spinal cord; cranial, spinal and autonomic nerves.

77
Q

pia mater

A

Thin, delicate innermost membrane of the meninges.

78
Q

plexus

A

Network of nerves outside of the central nervous system.

Examples: brachial, cervical, and lumbosacral plexuses.

79
Q

poliomyelitis

A

Inflammation of the grey matter of the spinal cord.

80
Q

polyneuritis

A

Inflammation of many nerves.

81
Q

pons

A

Part of the brainstem anterior to the cerebellum, between the medulla and the rest of the brain. Connects the upper and lower portions of the brain.

82
Q

quadriplegia

A

Paralysis of both arms and both legs.

83
Q

radiculitis

A

Inflammation of a spinal nerve root.

84
Q

radiculopathy

A

Disease of a spinal nerve root.

85
Q

receptor

A

Organ that receives nervous stimulation and passes it on to nerves that carry the stimulation to the brain and spinal cord; skin, ears, eyes, and taste buds.

86
Q

sciatic nerve

A

Extends from the base of the spine down the thigh, lower leg, and foot.

87
Q

sensory nerves

A

Carry messages to the brain and spinal cord from a receptor; afferent nerves.

88
Q

spinal nerves

A

Thirty-one (31) pairs of nerves arising from the spinal cord. Each spinal nerve affects a particular area of the skin.

89
Q

stimulus

A

Agent of change (light, sound, touch) that evokes a response.

90
Q

stroma

A

Connective and supportive tissue of an organ.

91
Q

subdural hematoma

A

Collection of blood in the space below the dura mater surrounding the brain.

92
Q

sulcus

A

Depression or groove in the surface of the cerebral cortex; fissure.

93
Q

sympathetic nerves

A

Autonomic nerves that activate responses in times of stress; heartbeat, respiration, and blood pressure are affected.

94
Q

synapse

A

Space between nerve cells or between nerve cells and muscle and glandular cells.

95
Q

syncopal

A

Pertaining to syncope (fainting).

96
Q

thalamic

A

Pertaining to the thalamus.

97
Q

thalamus

A

Main relay centre of the brain; located in the central region or diencephalon of the brain.

98
Q

trigeminal neuralgia

A

Flashes of stab like pain along the course of a branch of the trigeminal nerve (5th cranial nerve). Branches to the eye, upper jaw and lower jaw.

99
Q

vagal

A

Pertaining to the vagus nerve.

100
Q

vagus nerve

A

Tenth (10th) cranial nerve with branches to the chest and abdominal organs.

101
Q

ventricles of the brain

A

Fluid (cerebrospinal fluid) filled canals in the brain.

102
Q

absence seizure

A

Minor form of seizure, consisting of momentary clouding of consciousness and loss of contact with the environment.

103
Q

Alzheimer disease

A

Brain disorder marked by progressive, gradual mental deterioration (dementia) along with personality changes and impairment of daily functioning.

104
Q

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

A

Degenerative disorder of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem and resulting in total body paralysis.

105
Q

aneurysm

A

Weakening of an arterial wall, which may lead to hemorrhage and cerebrovascular accident (stroke).

106
Q

astrocytoma

A

Brain tumor composed of astrocytes (glial cells).

The most serious of these tumors is a glioblastoma multiforme (grades III and IV malignant brain tumor).

107
Q

aura

A

Peculiar sensation appearing before more definite symptoms.

108
Q

Bell palsy

A

Unilateral paralysis of the face caused by a disorder of the facial nerve.

109
Q

cerebral angiography

A

X-ray record of blood vessels in the brain after intravenous injection of contrast material.

110
Q

cerebral concussion

A

Temporary brain dysfunction (brief loss of consciousness) after injury; usually clearing within 24 hours.

111
Q

cerebral contusion

A

Bruising of brain tissue as a result of direct trauma to the head. Neurologic disorder persists longer than 24 hours.

112
Q

cerebral hemorrhage

A

Bursting of an artery in the brain.

113
Q

cerebral palsy

A

Partial paralysis and muscular coordination caused by loss of oxygen or blood flow to the cerebrum during pregnancy or in the perinatal period.

114
Q

cerebrospinal fluid analysis

A

Samples of cerebrospinal fluid are examined for blood cells, protein, glucose, tumor cells, bacteria, and other substances.

115
Q

cerebrovascular accident

CVA

A

Disruption of the normal blood supply to the brain; stroke.

116
Q

computed tomography

A

Cross-sectional x-ray imaging of an organ, with or without contrast material.

117
Q

dementia

A

Mental decline and deterioration.

118
Q

demyelination

A

Destruction of myelin on axons of nerves.

119
Q

dopamine

A

Neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.

120
Q

Doppler/ultrasound studies

A

Sound waves are used to detect blood flow in arteries within the brain and leading to the brain.

121
Q

electroencephalography

A

Process of recording the electricity within the brain.

122
Q

embolus

A

Blood clot that is carried by the bloodstream from one area of the body to another where it blocks a blood vessel.

123
Q

epilepsy

A

Brain disorder marked by recurrent attacks (seizures) of abnormal nervous impulses.

124
Q

gait

A

Manner of walking.

125
Q

glioblastoma multiforme

A

Highly malignant brain tumor composed of glial cells (astrocytes).

126
Q

herpes zoster

A

viral infection affecting peripheral nerves.

127
Q

HIV encephalopathy

A

Disease of the brain (dementia) caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

128
Q

Huntington disease

A

Hereditary disorder affecting the cerebrum and involving abrupt, involuntary, jerking movements and mental deterioration in later stages.

129
Q

hydrocephalus

A

Abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain.

130
Q

ictal event

A

Pertaining to a sudden, acute onset, as the convulsion of an epileptic seizure.

131
Q

leptomeningeal

A

The two thinner membranes (pia mater and arachnoid membrane) surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

132
Q

lumbar puncture

A

Withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid from the subarachnoid space between two lumbar vertebrae; spinal tap.

133
Q

magnetic resonance imaging

A

Magnetic and radio waves create an image of an organ three (3) planes of the body. The brain and spinal cord can be imaged to detect legions.

134
Q

meningitis

A

Inflammation of the meninges.

135
Q

meningocele

A

Hernia of the meninges through a defect or space between vertebrae.

136
Q

migraine

A

A severe headache that is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

137
Q

multiple sclerosis

A

Chronic neurologic disorder marked by destruction of the myelin sheath on neuronal axons in the CNS and replacement by plaques of sclerotic tissue.

138
Q

myasthenia gravis

A

Autoimmune neuromuscular disorder characterized by weakness of voluntary muscles.

139
Q

occlusion

A

Blockage or obstruction.

140
Q

palliative

A

Relieving symptoms, but not curative.

141
Q

palsy

142
Q

Parkinson disease

A

Degeneration of nerve cells that produce the neurotransmitter, dopamine in the brain; leads to tremors, weakness of muscles, and slowness of movement.

143
Q

positron emission tomography

A

Computerized radiologic procedure using radioactive glucose or oxygen to image the metabolic activity of cells.

144
Q

shingles

A

Viral (herpes zoster) illness that affects peripheral nerves; produces blisters and pain on the skin overlying the path of peripheral nerves.

145
Q

spina bifida

A

Congenital defect in the lumbar spinal column caused by imperfect union of vertebral parts; spinal cord and meninges may herniate through the vertebral gap.

146
Q

sterotactic radiosurgery

A

Use of a specialized instrument using 3D coordinates to locate the site to be operated on.

147
Q

thrombosis

A

Abnormal condition of clot formation in a blood vessel.

148
Q

tic

A

Involuntary movement of a small group of muscles.

149
Q

tonic-clonic seizure

A

A major seizure affecting the brain in epilepsy.

150
Q

Tourette syndrome

A

Neurologic disorder characterized by multiple facial and other body tics.

151
Q

transient ischemic attack

A

Fleeting episode of ischemia (holding back blood) in the brain.

NUC0520 MED100c Terminology (131 decks)

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